ABSTRACT MEUNIER, CARL JOSEPH. Advancing Voltammetry and Analysis Strategies for Enhanced Throughput, Quantification, Chemical Diversity, and Selectivity. (Under the direction of Dr. Leslie A. Sombers). The central nervous system (CNS) is a heterogeneous, complex, and plastic network of cells that regulates a myriad of autonomous bodily functions, perception and cognition, as well as emotion and behavior. CNS function is largely controlled by regulating neurotransmission, in which chemicals released from neurons bind with protein receptors eliciting cellular change. Electrochemical techniques, especially when combined with carbon-fiber microelectrodes (CFMEs), are suited for measuring neurotransmitters at functional time and spatial resolutions. Namely, background-subtracted fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) has been invaluable to exciting advances in neuroscience. Yet, significant improvements in the application of FSCV would expand the utility and adoption of the technique. The work presented herein focuses largely on developing methods to improve selectivity against complex interfering signals, improve quantification of in vivo recordings, and enhance FSCV for monitoring neuropeptides. Advances in engineered electrodes and the drive to explore other brain regions have expanded the detectable pool of analytes and interferents. In many cases, multiple species can be detected simultaneously at a single recording site. Herein, improvements were made to a custom modified-sawhorse waveform (MSW) previously developed for peptide detection. By thoroughly characterzing MSW parameter impact on peptide response, an optimized waveform was developed and used to record the first known neuropeptide dynamics in vivo. Further, the standard analysis strategy for these complex recordings, principal component regression, is unreliable in situations when signals share sources of variance and requires careful construction of a training set containing all components of a complex signal. Furthermore, the need for background-subtraction limits the analysis window to <90 seconds, as slow changes to the background signal result in subtraction artifacts called electrochemical drift. Herein, a combined voltammetry and regression-based predictive modeling approach was developed. By using a double-triangular waveform in conjunction with partial least-squares regression (DW-PLSR), signals with significant shared variance could be elucidated. Furthermore, DW-PLSR was capable of subtracting electrochemical drift extending the analysis window to >10 minutes, was demonstrated to be tailorable for recordings of other analytes, and simplified training set contruction; only requiring signals from interfering species. Additional research focused on developing methods to enhance quantification of measurements in live tissue. Tissue exposure reduces electrode senstivity and can result in shifts to cyclic voltammogram position and shape vital for effective multivariate calibration. Traditionally, FSCV is performed at acutely implanted electrodes that were post-calibrated in buffer, offering some measure of altered electrode performance. Now it is common for week to month long experiments using permantely implanted electrodes. However, the inability to recover electrodes led to the use of standard data sets for analysis (data recorded in vitro or from other electrodes/animals), which have been demonstrated to be unreliable. Herein, the effect of impedance changes on recordings was explored; changes in the ionic compoisiton, adsorption, electrode fouling, etc., result in impedance changes. By modulating impedance in vitro, performance changes observed in live tissue could be mimicked and used to predict changes in electrode performance. Furthermore, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to develop equivalent circuit models for CFMEs, which were used to evaluate changes at the electrode/solution interface. It was determined that electrode behavior deviates further from an ideal capacitor and surface area decreases in tissue, presumably due to fouling. Then, a multiplexed FSCV and EIS paradigm was developed that allowed real-time tracking of sensor impedance/capacitance without sacrificing temporal resolution. Overall, the experiments and advances described herein provide tools that enable researchers to target new molecules, enahance selectivity, increase throughput, and inform regarding changing electrode performance. Ultimately, these works will expand the utility of FSCV, facilitate advances in neuroscience, and prove useful for real-time electrochemical monitoring in other applications. © Copyright 2020 by Carl Joseph Meunier All Rights Reserved Advancing Voltammetry and Analysis Strategies for Enhanced Throughput, Quantification, Chemical Diversity, and Selectivity by Carl Joseph Meunier A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Chemistry Raleigh, North Carolina 2020 APPROVED BY: _______________________________ _______________________________ Leslie A. Sombers David C. Muddiman Committee Chair _______________________________ _______________________________ Erin S. Baker Douglas Call DEDICATION This work is dedicated to family and friends, past and present, who have all been integral in my progression that has led me to closing this chapter in my life. My parents, Arthur and Rosemary Meunier, have raised three independent, adaptable, and kindhearted children who have spread their wings and bring positive energy to all situations. They have always encouraged critical thinking, supported me in my pursuits, and provided guidance when I would fall off course. This work is dedicated to them. This work is dedicated to my late grandparents John and Rosalee Balbach, my late grandfather Arthur Meunier, and my grandmother Judith Meunier. Finally, this work is dedicated to the next generations of my family. I hope that one day this accomplishment inspires them to question the world, and work to uncover its mysteries. You’re only as old as your ability to process new information. -Phonte Coleman, 2018 ii BIOGRAPHY Carl Joseph Meunier was born in Madison, WI, on September 8th, 1992, to parents Arthur and Rosemary Meunier; his sister, Marie Meunier, was born three years earlier. His family moved to Dyersville, IA where he spent his formative years; his brother, Allen Meunier, was born there. His family then relocated, spending time in both Virginia, IL and Jacksonville, IL, where he attended high school. Carl grew up in ‘small town’ America, where he developed a love for the outdoors, sports, and independence. A good portion of his youth was spent riding bikes, camping, fishing, and playing sports (basketball, baseball, football, golf). He acquired a diverse skill and was introduction to critical thinking through his involvement in Boy Scouts as well as his involvement in remodeling multiple homes with his parents. During high school, Carl played varsity basketball, golf, and baseball, was a talented trombonist, became an Eagle Scout, and led a group to design and construct a record setting pumpkin-throwing trebuchet, which certainly did not hurt his interest in the sciences. He did various jobs such as baling hay on a farm, pressing shirts at a dry-cleaner, working as a handyman for a local business, and as a jack-of-all-trades at a grocery store. Through these experiences Carl developed an appreciation for hard work, a strong social awareness, and a drive to acquire knowledge. In the fall of 2011, Carl began undergraduate studies at Bradley University in Peoria, IL, where he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in both Chemistry and Spanish, graduating magna cum laude. During his undergraduate years, he joined the Illinois Delta chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, the Chemistry Club, and Phi Sigma Iota, an honor society for foreign languages and literature. Carl spent a summer working in the Zoppe Family Circus as a crewmember/stagehand with a close friend, performing hard manual labor, living in filth, making iii new friends, and enjoying every moment. He also spent a summer studying abroad in Spain further expanding his horizons. Having traveled alone, he quickly learned to adapt to new environments, expanded his social skills, and became introspective. He also became heavily involved in teaching by becoming a teaching assistant for general and organic chemistry labs, as well as in research under the direction of Dr. Luke M. Haverhals. He received numerous awards for his academic performance, service to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and demonstrated potential as a researcher. At Bradley, Carl also met his partner, Nicole Smiddy, who was also studying Chemistry. Nearing his final year at Bradley, a number of faculty members suggested Carl apply to graduate school. In the summer of 2015, he moved to Raleigh, NC to begin his doctoral studies in the Department of Chemistry at North Carolina State University under the direction of Dr. Leslie A. Sombers. Here, has worked on advancing electrochemical sensing technology for applications in neuroscience, gained a strong network of friends, and was in solidarity with Nicole, who was working on her Ph.D. in Chemistry at UNC-Chapel Hill. iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS To my parents, Arthur and Rosemary Meunier, I would like to express my gratitude in all you have done for me and for guiding me on my journey to become a man. You instilled in me an appreciation for